The Earl of March has confirmed the theme of the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed as “True Grit – Epic Feats of Endurance.”
The theme celebrates the drive and determination of motor racing’s heroes, who overcame huge physical, mental and mechanical barriers in their quest for glory. From Jackie Stewart’s enduring victory at the 1968 German Grand Prix, despite his broken wrist, to Mick Doohan’s courageous return to motorcycle racing in 1992, without full use of his right leg, there are countless amazing tales of performances far beyond what was thought possible for any human being. When most would have accepted defeat, these few continued to pursue their goals against all odds. The 2009 Festival of Speed will celebrate their unrelenting true grit and the legends born from it.
The 2009 Festival will run from July 3-5 and will celebrate the true motor sport heroes that went the extra mile in the pursuit of victory. Motor racing legends and modern day stars are expected to line up alongside their friends and adversaries at the celebrated 1.16 mile hillclimb, in a tribute to great feats of endurance in competition.
The selection of machinery at the 2009 Festival of Speed is expected to feature a sensational gathering of the world’s finest competition cars and motorcycles, each present to help an epic story of spellbinding performance.
In action on two-wheels and four will be everything from early Grand Prix and endurance machines, to off-road and contemporary racers. Also featuring will be the centenaries of Bugatti, Audi and Morgan, 50 years of both Mini and the Daytona Speedway, 40 years since Jackie Stewart and Matra’s dominance in motor sport, plus 60 continuous years of both the Motorcycle World Championship and the most famous endurance race of them all, the 24 Hours of Le Mans– Goodwood will celebrate the huge and lasting influence of these marques, circuits and championships as part of the richest celebration of motor sport history in the world, the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Complementing the overall Festival of Speed theme will be a host of other attractions at the world’s greatest celebration of motoring. Aside from getting close to the action-packed hillclimb and paddocks, Festival-goers will be able to relish some of the most stylish vehicles ever designed at the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance, glimpse into the future of personal transportation at the BP Ultimate FoS-TECH technology pavilion, see many of motor sport’s famous faces up close, swoon at the mouth-watering display of supercars in the world’s finest moving motor show, witness the exciting sideways action on the Forest Rally Stage and become a part of the action at the off-road activity fields and Junior Festival of Speed.
Goodwood Festival of Speed founder, Lord March says: “It will be fabulous to have so many great cars and drivers here at Goodwood to celebrate our endurance theme for 2009. I look forward with much anticipation to seeing some of the great endurance drivers, riders and machines in action.”
The date for next year’s Festival of Speed is now confirmed to be taking place from July 3-5 2009 with the Goodwood Revival also confirmed for the weekend of September 18-20.
For further information, contact the Goodwood Ticket Hotline:
Telephone: +44 1243 755055
E-mail: bookings@goodwood.co.uk
Online: www.goodwood.co.uk/tickets
[Source: Goodwood Festival of Speed]
